Written question asked by Jeremy Corbyn (Labour) on Monday, 23 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 April 2001. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Thursday, 26 April 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions have been held with the Government of Mauritius concerning the future sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.

Answer: Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have been held with the Government of Mauritius concerning the future sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. [158968] Mr. Battle: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made clear both in a letter to the Mauritian Foreign Minister and during a meeting in January this year, that the UK will continue to maintain sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, but that when they are no longer needed for defence purposes, we will be willing to cede them to Mauritius subject to the requirements of international law.

Secondary information